The Wheeling Park Patriots (7-3) from Wheeling, WV, will host the Spring Mills Cardinals (6-5) from Martinsburg, WV, in a varsity football playoff game on Friday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 WVSSAC Football Playoffs in the AAAA division.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Ohio High School Football
Who: Wheeling Park vs Spring Mills
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Bracket: 2024 WVSSAC Football Playoffs – AAAA
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Game preview: Wheeling Park vs Spring Mills

The Spring Mills Cardinals are set for a crucial rematch against the Wheeling Park Patriots in the first round of the West Virginia High School Football Playoffs. This exciting playoff game will take place on Friday, November 15, at Wheeling Park, where Spring Mills previously pulled off a stunning 27-0 victory earlier in the season.

Season Recap and Records

Both teams have posted strong seasons, although Wheeling Park holds a slight edge statistically:

• Spring Mills Cardinals: Record of 6-5, with a 2-3 mark in region play and a 3-4 home record, giving them a .545 win percentage. They’ve shown defensive prowess, allowing only 45 points across 11 games while scoring 257 points on offense.
• Wheeling Park Patriots: The Patriots bring a 7-3 record, undefeated in their region (4-0) and holding a superior .700 win percentage. They’ve scored an impressive 294 points, though they allowed 251, demonstrating a high-scoring, risk-taking style of play.

Scoring Patterns and Averages

Analyzing both teams’ scoring averages reveals Spring Mills’ focus on controlled, strategic play:

• Spring Mills averages 23.4 points per game, generally ramping up in the second quarter (8.9 points), while their offense slows in the final quarters.
• Wheeling Park is more explosive, averaging 29.4 points per game, with consistent scoring increases throughout all four quarters.

Offensive Comparison

In terms of offensive output, Wheeling Park has shown higher averages across all major categories, including:

• Rushing Yards per Game: 187.7 yards for Wheeling Park.
• Passing Yards per Game: Jay Bordas leads with 146.3 yards on average for the Cardinals, contributing to their 334 total yards per game.

Key Playmakers For Spring Mills, Brennan Wack leads with 175.3 rushing yards per game and 13.8 points, indicating he’ll be central to the Cardinals’ game plan. Jameson Maynard also stands out on defense with an average of 12.7 tackles, and Noah Short adds a threat with his 0.5 sacks per game.

Previous Matchup and Common Opponents

In their previous meeting on September 6, Spring Mills stunned Wheeling Park with a decisive 27-0 win. However, Wheeling Park will likely come in prepared, aiming to avenge their earlier loss. When facing common opponents, Wheeling Park has shown more consistent success with a 3-0 record, while Spring Mills went 2-1.

Game Outlook

With the playoff stage set and both teams hungry to advance, this rematch between Spring Mills and Wheeling Park is poised to be a thriller.